Italian Travel-Related Words and Phrases

Traveling in Italy can be confusing if you can't read the signs or understand the instructions you're given. Learning a few useful travel-related words and phrases in Italian before you begin traveling can save you time and reduce your frustration level.

Here are a few general travel-related terms that everyone should know before making the big trip.

passaporto [m] (passport)

valigia [f] (suitcase)

zaino (backpack)

borsa (bag)

biglietto [m] (ticket)

prenotare (reservation)

Making travel arrangements

While traveling in Italy, you often need to make or change your travel arrangements. Whether you are scheduling a flight or a train trip, the following words can help you with the reservation and ticket-buying process.

biglietto di andata e ritorno (round-trip ticket)

biglietto a senso unico (one-way ticket)

posto (seat)

stazione (train station)

treno [m] (train)

volo (flight)

aeroporto [m] (airport)

The following phrases are some common questions that you might need to ask when making travel arrangements in Italy.

Avete sconti per studenti? (Do you have any discounts for students?)

Per favore, due biglietti per Napoli. (I'll take two tickets please for Naples.)

Vorrei prenotare due biglietti. (I would like to reserve two tickets.)

Vorrei comprare due biglietti andata e ritorno. (I would like to buy two round-trip tickets.)

Che differenza c'è tra questo treno e quello? (What is the difference between this train and this train?)

C'è l'aria condizionata su questo treno? (Is there air conditioning on this train?)

Quale binario? (What train track?)

Binario numero tre. (Track three.)

When traveling by train, you have to punch your ticket in a validation machine before boarding; otherwise, you'll be fined.

Making hotel reservations

Although many of the larger hotels in Italy have English-speaking staff, you rarely find that in the smaller hotels and in the smaller towns. The following phrases can help you when making or changing your hotel reservations.

Avete disponibilità per il ventitrè e il ventiquattro agosto? (Do you have any availability on August 23 and 24?)

Avete una camera sul Canal Grande? (Do you have a room on the Grand Canal?)